Research@THEA (Technological Higher Education Association)
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Individual Presentation using A Problem Based Learning approach: When learning outcomes extend beyond the virtual classroom
Get PDFSummary of Teaching & Learning Context
The content is delivered through online synchronous and
asynchronous delivery. On campus delivery was restricted
due to Covid 19. Students are working in the sector of early
years education and care they are encouraged to reflect and
evaluate their professional experience.
The module is very much focusing on specific areas of
practice within the context of early years education and
care settings. The following key documents underpin the
content Siolta National Quality Standards, Aistear National
Curriculum Framework and Tusla Quality and Regulatory
Framework. The assessment strategy was to give students
the opportunity to explore theory and practice in a meaningful
context. The assignment, particularly Section 2 mirrored a
very real life professional practice experience.
Using a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach afforded
students the chance to identify a problem in promoting one
or all of the topics movement, maths and music in their daily
practice, develop a solution and reflect on the impact of the
solution.
Presentations were delivered in small groups on Microsoft
Teams using the principles of Wagner and Traynor model
of Communities of Practice which is embedded throughout
the programme delivery. Collaborative learning and peer
reflection are critical aspects of quality development within
early years education and care settings
Monitoring in vitro extracellular matrix protein conformations in the presence of biomimetic bone-regeneration scaffolds using functionalized gold-edge-triangular silver nanoparticles
Get PDF: In the cellular environment, high noise levels, such as fluctuations in biochemical reactions,
protein variability, molecular diffusion, cell-to-cell contact, and pH, can both mediate and interfere
with cellular functions. In this work, gold edge-coated triangular silver nanoparticles (AuTSNP)
were validated as a promising new tool to indicate protein conformational transitions in cultured
cells and to monitor essential protein activity in the presence of an optimized bone biomimetic
chitosan-based scaffold whose rational design mimics the ECM as a natural scaffold. A chitosan based scaffold formulation with hydroxyapatite (CS/HAp) was selected due to its promising features
for orthopedic applications, including combined high mechanical strength biocompatibility and
biodegradability. Functionalized AuTSNP-based tests with the model ECM protein, fibronectin
(Fn), illustrate that the protein interactions can be clearly sensed over time through the local surface
plasmon resonance (LSPR) technique. This demonstrates that AuTNSP are a powerful tool to detect
protein conformational activity in the presence of biomimetic bone tissue regeneration scaffolds
within a cellular environment that comprises a diversity of molecular cuesye
Suitability of surface-treated flax and hemp fibers for concrete reinforcement
Get PDFThe use of vegetable fibres as a sustainable alternative to non-natural sources of fibres
applied for concrete reinforcement has been studied for over three decades. The main issues about
plant-based fibres pointed out by other authors are the variability in their properties and concerns
about potential high biodegradability in the alkaline pH of the concrete matrix. Aiming to minimise
the variability of flax and hemp fibres, this research compares a range of chemical surface treatments,
analysing their effects on the behaviour of the fibres and the effects of their addition to concrete.
Corroborating what has been found by other authors, the treatment using NaOH 10% for 24 h was
able to enhance the properties of hemp fibre-reinforced concrete and reduce the degradability in
alkaline solution. For flax fibres, a novel alternative stood out: treatment using 1% of stearic acid in
ethanol for 4 h. Treatment using this solution increased the tensile by 101%, causing a minor effect on
the elastic modulus. Concrete mixes reinforced with the treated flax fibres presented reduced thermal
conductivity and elastic modulus and increased residual tensile strength and fracture energy.ye
Managing a Dynamic North Sea in the light of its ecological dynamics: Increasing occurrence of large baleen whales in the southern North Sea
Get PDFA recent increase in sightings and strandings of humpback and to a lesser extent, fin whales in the southern North Sea has been well documented. This positive trend in the marine mammal community is to be welcome. A similar increase has been documented off the south and southwest coasts of Ireland over the past 20 years. The first international match of a humpback whale outside of Ireland was to the Netherlands in 2007, demonstrating a link between these two feeding grounds. Data from Ireland, largely obtained through citizen science, is presented as an insight into what may occur in the southern North Sea in the near future. Between 1999 and 2014 the number of individual humpback whales recorded in Ireland rose slowly. A dramatic increase occurred in 2015, when the number of individually identified whales increased from 30 to 66 and, to a lesser extent, in 2017 and 2020 when numbers increased by 10 and 12. By the end of 2020, there were 109 individual humpback whales in the Irish Humpback Whale Photo-id Catalogue. Inter-annual re-sighting rates are high with a mean ± SD re-sighting rate of 63 ± 20 % in years when 10 or more individual whales were recorded. Minimum residency times within a season ranged from 2 to 186 days with a mean ± SD of 48.0 ± 10.3 days. Just over one fifth (21.3%) were recorded over a period of 10 days, or less, 45.3% over a period of 30 days or less and 13.5% over a period of at least 100 days. Thus humpback whales returning to Irish waters are remaining for an average of 7 weeks with 16% for over 3 months. A similar pattern may occur in the southern North Sea with continued monitoring. An increasing population of humpback whales will bring new management issues, which should be considered early in order to sustain this increase. Some of these issues are presented and discussed.ye
Laccase oxidation studies: method development for following the benzyl alcohol oxidation reaction using the Laccase/TEMPO system
Get PDFBiocatalysis is the use of nature’s biological catalysts – “enzymes” to perform synthetic chemical
reactions, which are generally “greener” than traditional chemical methods. Laccases are a group
of oxidoreductase enzymes considered “green catalysts” as they perform oxidation by consuming
oxygen and only producing water as a byproduct.
Although Laccases are environmentally friendly catalysts, they are limited in the range of
substrate they can react with (i.e. phenolic substrates). This range can be expanded to nonphenolic substrates with a mediator such as TEMPO. The whole system is termed a LaccaseMediator system (LMS)
Rethinking the management, structure and regional focus of higher education institutes: the role of technological universities in Ireland in the new 20’s
Get PDFThe higher education sector in Ireland is described. Changes in that sector during the period from 1960 to the current time are outlined and discussed. Particular focus is given to the period between 2010 and 2020, during which Irish government policy was to follow a strategy of regionalised access and delivery of tertiary vocational education. This was manifested through establishment of a new form of university, namely that of the “Technological University” (TU). The establishment of TUs in Ireland and their legislative underpinning are examined. The authors present the ongoing TU process in Ireland as a case study of how a sustainable, regionalised approach to third-level educational reform can be undertaken. The authors finish by presenting a comparative analysis of the RUN-EU Network mission and the legislative functions of the Irish TUs, thereby highlighting how both can jointly contribute to shaping firms, economies, and society in the 2020 decade.ye
Engineering students' perceptions of the role of work industry-related activities on their motivation for studying and learning in higher education
Get PDFA number of key graduate outcomes related to industry-based
interventions and work-industry-related activities (WIA’s) are specified
by the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance for all Engineering Degree
Programmes. A paucity of research regarding student perceptions of
these WIAs and their role in student’s motivation for learning motivates
the current study. Understanding student perceptions of WIA is critical
to ensuring the effective integration of WIAs into engineering
education. This study explores the perceived motivational effects of
WIAs with which students engage through the lens of self determination theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with
nineteen master’s students studying in two research-intensive Swedish
universities. Six themes emerged from thematic analysis. The themes
describe the impact WIAs can have on student motivation in terms of
their perceptions of (1) relevance for the development of knowledge
and skills, (2) influence on the student’s future profession identity, (3)
utility for gaining industrial experience, inclusive of research experience,
(4) relevance to student’s programmes of study, (5) industry
marketisation agendas, and (6) alignment with industry needs over the
student’s own needs. The motivating and demotivating aspects of WIA’s
based on these themes are discussed to improve the collaboration
between industry and academia in engineering education.ye
Relationships between strength, jump and kinematic variables during resisted sled sprinting
Get PDFResisted sprint training revealed positive and negative effects on
sprint performance across multiple loading conditions [1, 2].
This variation to performance may be due to that some of the
heavier players may not be as strong as some of the lighter
players and vice versa [3].
Further, it is unclear whether heavy loading negatively impacts
sprint kinematics for stronger athletes in the same manner as for
weaker.
Aims: Examining the relationships between:
• change in kinematics and back squat and hip thrust strength
measures,
• strength and sprint performance,
• strength and vertical jump performance,
• sprint performance and vertical jump performance
Development of a new bone scaffold for the treatment of large bone defects
No full textLarge bone defects remains a major problem in orthopaedic surgery despite these advances in medical techniques. To
date, autogenous bone grafting is still commonly therapeutic standard. However, it presents some limitations
associated with available bone volume, other complications and severe morbidity at the donor site. Bone tissue
engineering has become one of promising methods to treat large bone defect due to its flexibility, biocompatible and
osteoinductive. Composite scaffold with different formulations were prepared by the UV cross-link, and the
properties of scaffolds were characterised by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and compression testing.
The aim of this project is using biodegradable Composite scaffold to stimulate bone regeneration by controlling the
releasing of active pharmaceutical ingredient
Does Landscape Structure Affect the Presence of Woodland Specialist Pollinators in Farmland? Implications for Agri-Environment Scheme Design
Get PDFSome pollinator species found in agricultural areas are strongly dependent on surrounding areas of natural or semi-natural habitats to nest and/or forage. Landscape structure has been shown to influence pollinator communities and understanding how landscape structure affects farmland pollinators can improve Agri-Environment Schemes (AES). This study explored how landscape metrics affect the presence of pollinators associated with woody vegetation in farmland in the Republic of Ireland. Two study regions were selected, and pollinators were collected using pan traps placed in farm linear features. Hoverfly and bee species were selected based on their body size and association with woody vegetation. Relevant landscape structure metrics were extracted from around each trap and used to develop explanatory models for the abundance of pollinators. The total abundance of target species was relatively low but correlated with three explanatory variables: the connectivity of the linear feature to woodlands; the distance from the trap to the closest woodland; and edge density. Hoverfly and bee abundance data, when analysed separately, showed significant differences within regions. Results seem to indicate that incentivising the connectivity of farm linear features to surrounding woodland patches and increasing optimal habitat availability in agricultural landscapes could benefit woodland specialists. This information is helpful to improving AES design.ye